June 20, 2014 Coats Museum News
How many of you have heard of the Oakdale section of Harnett County? It was in this section that the L.M. Denning Post 9960 was organized. It was the third in Harnett. Lillington was the oldest and Dunn had formed one several months ago. Officers for the Oakdale post were Jerry Denning, Senior Vice Commander; Charles Denning, Vice Quartermaster; James H. Williams, Surgeon; Garland Barefoot, Edgar Norris, Jr., and Ray Morris were trustees. Thirty veterans were in membership in this post. L.M. was Charles and Jerry Denning’s brother who had lost his life serving in the WWII (Dunn Dispatch April 20, 1949).
Paschal P. Wood, seaman USN, son of Paschal P. Wood, Sr., had been scheduled to visit parts of the Mediterranean. He was on the U.S. Spokane that was attached to the Sixth Task Fleet (Dunn Dispatch April 18, 1949).
The April 20th edition also recorded that J.A. Seagroves lost his sister, Mrs. Flora Seagroves of Willow Springs. Thirty students from Coats attended “Student Day” events at ECTC in Greenville. Miss Clara Thomas chaperoned the students.
How did they travel? Was there an activity bus? Did parents allow the students to drive the family cars?
This I do know. Ten men were seeking offices in Coats. Four vied for mayor and six were seeking council positions. Coats had 600 registered voters and 500 were expected to vote. Mayor C.J. Turlington had been mayor since 1946 and he was challenged by Vic Lee, a council member and merchant; J.D. Norris, an insurance agent, and Carlos Dixon, a veterans farm instructor. Two current members were seeking re-election-Haywood Roberts and L.M. Johnson. Both men had been elected 2 terms beginning in 1946. M.A. Coats was not seeking re-election. The new candidates for town council were Edward Denning, T.O. Beasley, Gene Stewart, O.K. Keene, J. Nassie Dorman, and R.E. Parrish –all well known businessmen.
J.D. Norris promised that if he was elected, he would improve the streets and sidewalks, install streetlights and oppose the selling of beer and liquor. Carlos Dixon promised to work with civic-minded groups, build sidewalks to the school and churches and have machines to improve Main Street.
The third mayoral candidate, Vic Lee, promised sidewalks and street improvements if revenue was available and he also promised concrete plans for general improvement of sanitation and water facilities.
The Dunn firemen were called to Coats to help the Coats Fire Department extinguish a fire at the lumber plant of Benner and Robertson. The fire was confined to the boiler room. Eleven men came to Coats on a MACK truck. Several thousand dollars worth of damage was reported with only half covered by insurance. Nine school buses sold which had been described as decrepit. Melvin Turlington had built the handsome new building at Prospect Church (Dunn Dispatch April 29, 1949).
The May 4, 1949 edition of the Dunn Dispatch reported that W.E. Nichols had been sworn in to the Harnett County Board of Education. A big bond vote was pushing for $200 million for road paving and repair and $ 25 million for school construction and repair. The men serving on the Colored School Board were William Stewart, James Stewart, and G.W. Wright.
Mayor C.J. Turlington had withdrawn from the Coats mayor’s race. He had served on the town board for nearly a quarter of a century and been mayor for the last four years (Dunn Dispatch May 6, 1949).
The Oakdale VFW had planned a Minstrel Show and Quiz Show. Garland Coats directed the event. Commander of the post was T.R. Parker and J.H. Williams was adjutant. Back in Coats, a new mayor was elected in one of the liveliest campaigns in the history of the town. Elected was David Victor “Vic” Lee, a 36 year-old businessman, who had lived in Coats since an early age and was co-owner of Pope’s Department Store on South Main Street, Coats. Lee was a boiler inspector for Durham and Southern Railroad for nine and one half years. He became associated with Thad Pope in the Pope’s Department Store and later became part owner and manager. The Lee family was originally from Johnston County. His father Harry Lee had served as rural mail carrier prior to his retirement.
The winners of the council seats who served with Lee in 1949 were Haywood Roberts, T. Owen Beasley, O.K. Keene, and L.G. “Luke” Barefoot. Nassie Dorman, Edward Denning, L.M. Johnson, and Reggie Parrish were the other names on the ballot. Gene Stewart had been named earlier as a candidate (Dunn Dispatch May 11, 1949).
Chief Deputy Marshal Henry A. Turlington had built one of the finest houses in the county on the Erwin-Coats Road. Rachael McLamb had married Marvin L. Miller, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Ed Miller of near Benson. He had attended Coats School and had served in the US Navy. The marriage took place at the Hodges Chapel Church (Dunn Dispatch May 11, 1949).Question—is that the same Hodges Chapel as today?
School was almost out and many children were covered with the measles. Two of the children confined were Carolyn Phillips and Jimmy Willis. They likely missed the 1949 Class Night “Isle of Our Dreams.” Dr. John Chandler, professor of Philosophy at Wake Forest, had spoken at the graduation.
Neill Barnes was valedictorian and Dorothy was salutatorian. Class officers were Dorothy Pope-president; Neill Barnes-vice president; Jeanine Ennis-secretary, and Joyce Parrish-treasurer. Members of the 1949 graduating class were Neill Barnes, Jeanine Ennis, Shelton Ennis, Harold Flowers, Elizabeth Godwin, Dot Grimes, Lucille Jackson, Harold Jernigan, Mary Jo Johnson, J.A. Langdon, Kathleen Norris, Myrtle Ruth Norris, Joyce Parrish, Dorothy Pope, Lois Smith, Essie Ruth Stone, Lunette Sorrell, Imogene Stephenson, Betsy Stewart, Bobby Stewart, Evangeline Stewart, Magdalene Tadlock, Frances Tart, Joyce Turlington, Sue Turlington, Eloise Upchurch, Ruthleen Weaver, Darwin Whittington, Jackie Whittington, Linda Rae Williams, and Norma Jean Wood.
Coats School Board members who likely attended the graduation were Dr. Fred Fleming, Haywood Roberts, Will T. Sorrell, Herbert Johnson and Dexter Langdon. Master Dwight Ennis was a patient at Dunn Hospital. Mrs. Parlia Wood had died at her home on Route 1, Coats, N. C. at the age of 71. She was the daughter of Stephen and Betty Hale O’Neal of Johnston County. She was survived by her husband, Parlia Wood, and her children-Mrs. Hiram Rose, Mrs. Charles Turlington, Jr., Mrs. G.D. Knox, Walter Wood, David Wood, P.B. Wood, and Vernon Wood. Mrs. Oscar Johnson and A.H. O’Neal were her siblings (Dunn Dispatch May 11, 1949). I bet many of you folks recognize the names of most of those survivors.
Donald Page, a former student, makes no bones about struggling in my English classes; and I will admit if I had to put together all the models of aircrafts, submarines, soldiers, guns and NASCAR models that he has just brought for display in the museum, I would need more than a tutor. They are remarkable exhibits that should interest so many of our visitors who love models. A big thank you also to Donald for giving the museum a model of the Wright Brothers aircraft which fits in nicely with our Alton Stewart Exhibit which contains Orville Wright’s signature on Alton Stewart’s pilot license which was the first issued in N.C.
Many friends of the museum have given memorials to honor friends and loved ones. Lynda and Robie Butler have remembered Dyan Denning and Dan Stewart. Glenda Denning gave a memorial for Dorsey Daniel. Becky and Dennis Adams also gave for Dorsey Daniel and Dyan Denning and the Woman’s Club remembered Mary Langdon who was a long time member of the club. Thank you to all these donors for supporting the museum.
How many of you have heard of the Oakdale section of Harnett County? It was in this section that the L.M. Denning Post 9960 was organized. It was the third in Harnett. Lillington was the oldest and Dunn had formed one several months ago. Officers for the Oakdale post were Jerry Denning, Senior Vice Commander; Charles Denning, Vice Quartermaster; James H. Williams, Surgeon; Garland Barefoot, Edgar Norris, Jr., and Ray Morris were trustees. Thirty veterans were in membership in this post. L.M. was Charles and Jerry Denning’s brother who had lost his life serving in the WWII (Dunn Dispatch April 20, 1949).
Paschal P. Wood, seaman USN, son of Paschal P. Wood, Sr., had been scheduled to visit parts of the Mediterranean. He was on the U.S. Spokane that was attached to the Sixth Task Fleet (Dunn Dispatch April 18, 1949).
The April 20th edition also recorded that J.A. Seagroves lost his sister, Mrs. Flora Seagroves of Willow Springs. Thirty students from Coats attended “Student Day” events at ECTC in Greenville. Miss Clara Thomas chaperoned the students.
How did they travel? Was there an activity bus? Did parents allow the students to drive the family cars?
This I do know. Ten men were seeking offices in Coats. Four vied for mayor and six were seeking council positions. Coats had 600 registered voters and 500 were expected to vote. Mayor C.J. Turlington had been mayor since 1946 and he was challenged by Vic Lee, a council member and merchant; J.D. Norris, an insurance agent, and Carlos Dixon, a veterans farm instructor. Two current members were seeking re-election-Haywood Roberts and L.M. Johnson. Both men had been elected 2 terms beginning in 1946. M.A. Coats was not seeking re-election. The new candidates for town council were Edward Denning, T.O. Beasley, Gene Stewart, O.K. Keene, J. Nassie Dorman, and R.E. Parrish –all well known businessmen.
J.D. Norris promised that if he was elected, he would improve the streets and sidewalks, install streetlights and oppose the selling of beer and liquor. Carlos Dixon promised to work with civic-minded groups, build sidewalks to the school and churches and have machines to improve Main Street.
The third mayoral candidate, Vic Lee, promised sidewalks and street improvements if revenue was available and he also promised concrete plans for general improvement of sanitation and water facilities.
The Dunn firemen were called to Coats to help the Coats Fire Department extinguish a fire at the lumber plant of Benner and Robertson. The fire was confined to the boiler room. Eleven men came to Coats on a MACK truck. Several thousand dollars worth of damage was reported with only half covered by insurance. Nine school buses sold which had been described as decrepit. Melvin Turlington had built the handsome new building at Prospect Church (Dunn Dispatch April 29, 1949).
The May 4, 1949 edition of the Dunn Dispatch reported that W.E. Nichols had been sworn in to the Harnett County Board of Education. A big bond vote was pushing for $200 million for road paving and repair and $ 25 million for school construction and repair. The men serving on the Colored School Board were William Stewart, James Stewart, and G.W. Wright.
Mayor C.J. Turlington had withdrawn from the Coats mayor’s race. He had served on the town board for nearly a quarter of a century and been mayor for the last four years (Dunn Dispatch May 6, 1949).
The Oakdale VFW had planned a Minstrel Show and Quiz Show. Garland Coats directed the event. Commander of the post was T.R. Parker and J.H. Williams was adjutant. Back in Coats, a new mayor was elected in one of the liveliest campaigns in the history of the town. Elected was David Victor “Vic” Lee, a 36 year-old businessman, who had lived in Coats since an early age and was co-owner of Pope’s Department Store on South Main Street, Coats. Lee was a boiler inspector for Durham and Southern Railroad for nine and one half years. He became associated with Thad Pope in the Pope’s Department Store and later became part owner and manager. The Lee family was originally from Johnston County. His father Harry Lee had served as rural mail carrier prior to his retirement.
The winners of the council seats who served with Lee in 1949 were Haywood Roberts, T. Owen Beasley, O.K. Keene, and L.G. “Luke” Barefoot. Nassie Dorman, Edward Denning, L.M. Johnson, and Reggie Parrish were the other names on the ballot. Gene Stewart had been named earlier as a candidate (Dunn Dispatch May 11, 1949).
Chief Deputy Marshal Henry A. Turlington had built one of the finest houses in the county on the Erwin-Coats Road. Rachael McLamb had married Marvin L. Miller, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Ed Miller of near Benson. He had attended Coats School and had served in the US Navy. The marriage took place at the Hodges Chapel Church (Dunn Dispatch May 11, 1949).Question—is that the same Hodges Chapel as today?
School was almost out and many children were covered with the measles. Two of the children confined were Carolyn Phillips and Jimmy Willis. They likely missed the 1949 Class Night “Isle of Our Dreams.” Dr. John Chandler, professor of Philosophy at Wake Forest, had spoken at the graduation.
Neill Barnes was valedictorian and Dorothy was salutatorian. Class officers were Dorothy Pope-president; Neill Barnes-vice president; Jeanine Ennis-secretary, and Joyce Parrish-treasurer. Members of the 1949 graduating class were Neill Barnes, Jeanine Ennis, Shelton Ennis, Harold Flowers, Elizabeth Godwin, Dot Grimes, Lucille Jackson, Harold Jernigan, Mary Jo Johnson, J.A. Langdon, Kathleen Norris, Myrtle Ruth Norris, Joyce Parrish, Dorothy Pope, Lois Smith, Essie Ruth Stone, Lunette Sorrell, Imogene Stephenson, Betsy Stewart, Bobby Stewart, Evangeline Stewart, Magdalene Tadlock, Frances Tart, Joyce Turlington, Sue Turlington, Eloise Upchurch, Ruthleen Weaver, Darwin Whittington, Jackie Whittington, Linda Rae Williams, and Norma Jean Wood.
Coats School Board members who likely attended the graduation were Dr. Fred Fleming, Haywood Roberts, Will T. Sorrell, Herbert Johnson and Dexter Langdon. Master Dwight Ennis was a patient at Dunn Hospital. Mrs. Parlia Wood had died at her home on Route 1, Coats, N. C. at the age of 71. She was the daughter of Stephen and Betty Hale O’Neal of Johnston County. She was survived by her husband, Parlia Wood, and her children-Mrs. Hiram Rose, Mrs. Charles Turlington, Jr., Mrs. G.D. Knox, Walter Wood, David Wood, P.B. Wood, and Vernon Wood. Mrs. Oscar Johnson and A.H. O’Neal were her siblings (Dunn Dispatch May 11, 1949). I bet many of you folks recognize the names of most of those survivors.
Donald Page, a former student, makes no bones about struggling in my English classes; and I will admit if I had to put together all the models of aircrafts, submarines, soldiers, guns and NASCAR models that he has just brought for display in the museum, I would need more than a tutor. They are remarkable exhibits that should interest so many of our visitors who love models. A big thank you also to Donald for giving the museum a model of the Wright Brothers aircraft which fits in nicely with our Alton Stewart Exhibit which contains Orville Wright’s signature on Alton Stewart’s pilot license which was the first issued in N.C.
Many friends of the museum have given memorials to honor friends and loved ones. Lynda and Robie Butler have remembered Dyan Denning and Dan Stewart. Glenda Denning gave a memorial for Dorsey Daniel. Becky and Dennis Adams also gave for Dorsey Daniel and Dyan Denning and the Woman’s Club remembered Mary Langdon who was a long time member of the club. Thank you to all these donors for supporting the museum.